Automatic combination windshield wiper-washer

ABSTRACT

In a motor vehicle, a circuit for selectively and automatically controlling the operation of the vehicle&#39;&#39;s windshield wipers and windshield washers including an astable multivibrator circuit which generates wiper control pulses, both the duration of which pulses and the interval therebetween being variable. Each wiper control pulse energizes a wiper control relay, the contacts of which, when closed, energize a wiper motor to initiate operation of the windshield wipers. Simultaneously with each wiper control pulse, the astable multivibrator also generates a pulse inverted with respect thereto. A monostable vibrator multivibrator is connected to receive the inverted pulse from the astable multivibrator through a selectively operable manual switch. The inverted pulses are differentiated, and the resulting impulses trigger the washer control monostable multivibrator which generates a washer control pulse in response to each impulse. A washer control relay is energized by each washer control pulse for the duration of each said washer control pulse to close associated contacts connected across a washer pump motor thereby energizing the windshield washer pump.

United States Patent Keisuke 5] Apr. 11, 1972 [54] AUTOMATIC COMBINATION7] ABSTRACT WINDSHIELD WIPER'WASHER In a motor vehicle, a circuit forselectively and automatically [72] Inventor; Murakami Keisuke, Tokyo,Japan controlling the operation of the vehicle's windshield wipers [73]Assignee: John Y. Sugihara, Streamwood, Ill. [22] Filed: Apr. 14, 1971211 App]. No.1 133,871

[52] US. Cl. ..318/444, 15/250.02 [51] Int. Cl. ..B60s U46 [5 8] Fieldof Search ..318/443, 444, DIG. 2; l5/250.02, 250.13

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,147,504 9/1964 Oishei......l5/250.02 3,181,194 5/1965 Daykin ....l5/250.02 3,383,730 5/1968Lamaudiere.. ....l5/250.02 3,407,345 10/1968 Fruehauf ..318/443 PrimaryExaminer-Bernard A. Gilheany Assistant Examiner-Thomas Langer andwindshield washers including an astable multivibrator circuit whichgenerates wiper control pulses, both the duration of which pulses andthe interval therebetween being variable. Each wiper control pulseenergizes a wiper control relay, the

contacts of which, when closed, energize a wiper motor to initiateoperation of the windshield wipers. Simultaneously with each wipercontrol pulse, the astable multivibrator also generates a pulse invertedwith respect thereto. A monostable vibrator multivibrator is connectedto receive the inverted pulse from the astable multivibrator through aselectively operable manual switch. The inverted pulses aredifferentiated, and the resulting impulses trigger the washer controlmonostable multivibrator which generates a washer control pulse inresponse to each impulse. A washer control relay is energized by eachwasher control pulse for the duration of each said washer control pulseto close associated contacts connected across a washer pump motorthereby energizing the windshield washer pump.

8 Claims, 3 DrawingFigures Patented A ril 11, 1972 FIG. I

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FIG. 2

WIPER MOTOR ATTORNEYS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION One of the persistentproblems in vehicles, particularly automobiles, is the maintenance of aclean windshield on those days when the weather conditions are misty orwhen a light rain or drizzle exists.- Under these conditions, continuousoperation of the windshield wipers is unnecessary to maintain thewindshield clear, and, in fact, is often undesirable since suchcontinuous operation often results in the wiping of a relatively'drywindshield resulting in streaking of the windshield and otherdeleterious effects.

' To overcome this problem, the operator of such vehicles maymanuallyoperate the wipers for short periods of time in order to cleanthe windshield while attempting to reduce streaking and wiping of dryWindshields. Such a procedure is ing the attention of the operator.

Even under such circumstances, there are occasions when the wipers stilldo not function satisfactorily because of what is being deposited on thewindshield, e.g., a spray off the road from the vehicles immediatelyahead. This type of spray dirties the windshield, and the wipersthemselves are often unable to clean the windshield. As a result, thewindshield washers must be manually operated to supplement the wipers.

It can be appreciated that automatic control of the wipers andwindshield washers to accommodate this type of aggravating situationwouldbe highly desirable not only because of the convenience involved,but more important, because of the increased safety resulting from theelimination of manual operation of the wipers and washers by the driverand resulting diversion of his attention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 7 In accordance with the present inventionthere is provided a windshield wiper-washer control circuit forautomatically and selectively operating both the windshield wiper itselfor together with the windshield washer at desired periodic intervals inorder to eliminate the necessity of the driver manually operating one orboth of these mechanisms manually.

, The circuit of the present invention includes a wiper control circuitwhich, when energized by closure of an on-off switch, operates as anastable pulse generator. The wiper control circuit includes means foradjusting both the duration of the wiper control pulses and foradjusting the interval between each of the pulses.

Wiper control switch operating means, such as a relay, is energized byeach wiper control pulse to close an associated switch to energize-thewiper motor and thereby operate the windshield wipers for approximatelythe duration of each wiper control pulse.

When it is desired and necessary to operate the windshield washer inconjunction with the wipers, an inverted output of the wiper controlcircuit is utilized to trigger a washer control circuit, which operatesas a monostable pulse generator. The monostable pulse generator isconnected to and is triggered by the differentiated inverted output ofthe wiper control circuit, typically in the form of impulses, through amanually operated switch.

The washer control monostable pulse generator generates a washer controlpulse in response to the differentiated inverted output of the wipercontrol circuit, the duration of this washer control pulse beingadjustable. Washer control switch operating means, such as a relay, isenergized by each washer control pulse to close an associated switch toenergize a washer pump motor for the duration of said washer controlpulse and cause the windshield washers to operate for this time period.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention willbecome readily apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention and of one embodiment thereof, from the claims and from theaccompanying drawings in which each and every detail shown is fully andcompletely not only aggravating but in many occasions unsafe bydetractdisclosed as a part of this specification, in which like numeralsrefer to like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENTWhile this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetail one specific embodiment, with the understanding that the presentdisclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principlesof the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to theembodiment illustrated.

in the control circuit, closure of the input switch 10 applies a voltagefrom the battery 12 through an input circuit consisting of diode l4 andcapacitor 16 to the wiper control astable multivibrator 18.

The astable multivibrator 18 includes a pair of transistors 20 and 22,resistors 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34, adjustable resistors 36 and 38,capacitors 40 and 42 and diodes 44 and 46.

The output of the wiper control astable multivibrator 18, a plurality ofwiper control pulses, is taken off the emitter of transistor 22 andapplied to the base of an output switching and power transistor 48connected in series with a wiper control relay 50.

The duration of each of the wiper control pulses is determined by thevalue of resistor 34, adjustable resistor 38 and capacitor 42, the pulseduration being varied by adjusting the value of adjustable resistor 38.The time interval between the wiper control pulses is determined by thevalues of resistor 32,

, adjustable resistor 36 and capacitor 40, the time interval betweenpulses being .varied by adjusting the resistance of adjustable resistor36.

The positive pulses applied to the base of the output power andswitching transistor 48 causes that transistor to conduct and toenergize the wiper control relay 50 to close the wiper control relaycontacts 52 for initiating operation of the windshield wiper motor asdescribed below.

There is also provided a washer control circuit including a monostablemultivibrator 54 shown as including transistors 56 and 58, resistors 60,62, 64, 66, 68 and 70, adjustable resistor 72, capacitor 74, diode 76and washer control relay 78 connected to the collector of transistor 56.

A difierentiating circuit including capacitor 80 and resistor 82 isconnected to the collector of transistor 22 to provide a negativeimpulse in response to a drop in voltage at the collector of transistor22, which occurs simultaneously with the wiper control pulse generatedat the emitter of the transistor 22.

When it is desired to operate the washer automatically, manuallyoperable switch 84 is closed to connect the input of the monostablemultivibrator 54 to the inverted output of the astable multivibrator 18through the differentiator 81. The differentiated negative impulsescoupled to the monostable multivibrator 54 through diodes 86 and 88triggers the monostable multivibrator 54 causing transistor 56 toconduct thereby energizing washer control relay 78. Washer controlrelay, when energized, causes its contacts 90 to close to energize thewasher pump motor.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown schematically a wiper motor 92connected in series with a manual operating switch 94 and battery 12. Awasher pump motor 96 is also connected across the battery 12 in serieswith a manual washer switch 98. The wiper control relay contacts 52 areconnected across the wiper manual switch 94 by lines 100, 102.Similarly, the washer control relay contacts 90 are connected across thewasher manual start switch 98 by lines 104, 106.

Thus, when the wiper control relay 50 is energized closing its contacts52, the wiper motor 92 is energized to operate the windshield wipers.The wiper motor will continue to operate so long as the contacts 52 areclosed. When the contacts 52 are opened, upon termination of each wipercontrol pulse, the wipers will return to their ofi position at whichtime the cycle hold switch 104 will open to de-energize the wiper motor92, as is well known.

Similarly, when the washer control relay 78 is energized closing itscontacts 90, the washer pump'motor 96 is energized to operate thewindshield washer pump for so long as the con tacts 90 remain closed,i.e., for the duration of the washer control pulse.

FIG. 3' shows a timing diagram for the washer control pulses and thewiper control pulses. Typically, the duration of the wiper controlpulses 106, T to T ranges from 3 to 6 seconds and the interval betweenthese pulses, T T may be adjusted from about seconds to about 50seconds. The duration of the washer control pulses 108, T T typicallyranges between about 1 second and about 3 seconds, and is normally lessthan the duration of the wiper control pulses 106.

Thus, there has been disclosed a circuit which-automatically andintermittently can operate windshield wipers on a vehicle for a selectedperiod of time at varying intervals and which can selectively andautomatically initiate simultaneous operation of the windshield washersconcurrently with the wipers.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations andmodifications may be effected without departing from the true spirit andscope of the novel concept of the invention. It is, of course, intendedto cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall withinthe scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a motor vehicle having windshield wipers operated by a windshieldwiper motor and windshield washers operated by a windshield washer pumpmotor, a circuit for automatically and intermittently operating saidwindshield wiper motor and windshield washer pump motor comprising:astable pulse generating means for continuously generating a pluralityof wiper control pulses; wiper control switch operating means connectedto said astable pulse generating means and adapted to be energized inresponse to and for the duration of each of said wiper control pulses;normally open wiper control switch means closing in response to and forthe duration of the energization of said wiper control switch operatingmeans; monostable pulse generating means adapted to be connected to saidastable pulse generating means and when so connected generating a washercontrol pulse in response to the occurrence of each wiper control pulse;selectively operable switch means for connecting said monostable pulsegenerating means to said astable pulse generating means; washer controlswitch operating means connected to said monostable pulsegeneratgenerating means includes first adjustable circuit means operableto vary the duration of said wiper control pulses, and second adjustablecircuit means operable to vary the interval 7 between said wiper controlpulses. l5 1 3. A circuit as claimed in claim 2 wherein'said monostablepulse generating means includes third adjustable circuit means operableto vary the duration of said washer control pulses.

4. A circuit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the duration of said washercontrol pulses is adjusted to be less than the duration of said wipercontrol pulses.

5. A circuit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said monostable pulsegianerating means is connected to said astable pulse genera ng meansthrough said selectively operable switch justable resistor connected tothe base of said first transistor for adjusting the duration of saidwiper control pulses, a

' second adjustable resistor connected to the base of said secondtransistor for adjusting the interval between said wiper control pulses,and an amplifier circuit connected to the output of said secondtransistor, said amplifier circuit including said control switchoperating means in' series therewith, said amplifier circuit energizingsaid wiper control switch operating means in response to each wipercontrol pulse generated by said free running multivibrator.

V 8. A circuit as claimed inclaim 7 wherein said monostable pulsegenerator is a monostable multivibrator, and including a differentiatingcircuit connected to the inverted output of said astable multivibrator,said monostable multivibrator connected to the output of saiddifferentiator through a manually operated switch means, said monostablemultivibrator generating a washer control pulse in response to eachdifferentiated inverted pulse generated by said astable multivibrator.

1. In a motor vehicle having windshield wipers operated by a windshieldwiper motor and windshield washers operated by a windshield washer pumpmotor, a circuit for automatically and intermittently operating saidwindshield wiper motor and windshield washer pump motor comprising:astable pulse generating means for continuously generating a pluralityof wiper control pulses; wiper control switch operating means connectedto said astable pulse generating means and adapted to be enErgized inresponse to and for the duration of each of said wiper control pulses;normally open wiper control switch means closing in response to and forthe duration of the energization of said wiper control switch operatingmeans; monostable pulse generating means adapted to be connected to saidastable pulse generating means and when so connected generating a washercontrol pulse in response to the occurrence of each wiper control pulse;selectively operable switch means for connecting said monostable pulsegenerating means to said astable pulse generating means; washer controlswitch operating means connected to said monostable pulse generatingmeans and adapted to be energized in response to and for the duration ofeach washer control pulse; normally open washer control switch meansclosing in response to and for the duration of the energization of saidwiper control switch operating means; said wiper motor being connectedto said wiper control switch means and operating in response to theclosure thereof; and said washer pump motor being connected to saidwasher control switch means and operating in response to the closurethereof.
 2. A circuit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said astable pulsegenerating means includes first adjustable circuit means operable tovary the duration of said wiper control pulses, and second adjustablecircuit means operable to vary the interval between said wiper controlpulses.
 3. A circuit as claimed in claim 2 wherein said monostable pulsegenerating means includes third adjustable circuit means operable tovary the duration of said washer control pulses.
 4. A circuit as claimedin claim 3 wherein the duration of said washer control pulses isadjusted to be less than the duration of said wiper control pulses.
 5. Acircuit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said monostable pulse generatingmeans is connected to said astable pulse generating means through saidselectively operable switch means to receive inverted wiper controloutput pulses generated by said astable pulse generating means.
 6. Acircuit as claimed in claim 5 including pulse differentiating meansconnected to receive said inverted pulses and generating an impulse inresponse to each of said inverted pulses, said monostable pulsegenerator being connected to receive said impulses.
 7. The circuit asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said astable pulse generator means is a freerunning multivibrator, said multivibrator having a first and secondtransistor, a first adjustable resistor connected to the base of saidfirst transistor for adjusting the duration of said wiper controlpulses, a second adjustable resistor connected to the base of saidsecond transistor for adjusting the interval between said wiper controlpulses, and an amplifier circuit connected to the output of said secondtransistor, said amplifier circuit including said control switchoperating means in series therewith, said amplifier circuit energizingsaid wiper control switch operating means in response to each wipercontrol pulse generated by said free running multivibrator.
 8. A circuitas claimed in claim 7 wherein said monostable pulse generator is amonostable multivibrator, and including a differentiating circuitconnected to the inverted output of said astable multivibrator, saidmonostable multivibrator connected to the output of said differentiatorthrough a manually operated switch means, said monostable multivibratorgenerating a washer control pulse in response to each differentiatedinverted pulse generated by said astable multivibrator.